Inking mechanism for printing machines



W. F'. HUCK INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed June 28, 1.941V

Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 y UCK WILLIAM F. :H

1mm w. F. HUCK 2,282,655

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHNES Filed June 28, 1541 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 66. gwlLLIAM F. HUGH May 12, 1942. w; F. HucK INKING lMEGHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed June g8, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 12, 1942 INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES William F. Huck, Richmond Hill, N. Y., assignor to R. Hoe & Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a., corporation of New York Application June 28, 1941, Serial No. 400,308

17 Claims.

This invention relates to inking mechanism, and more particularly to inking mechanism to be employed in modern rotary printing machines.

It has been found from experimentation and also from practice in the commercial field that the most satisfactory inking mechanism for modern rotary printing machines incorporates rotary and reciprocatory components. Such inking mechanism usually includes one or more rotary ink distributing cylinders which cooperate with suitable ink rollers to work the ink into a uniform film of required thickness before it is deposited onto the plate or form cylinder by the conventional form roller or rollers. In order to produce the best result, the ink cylinder should 'be suitably recprocated as well as rotated.

Rotary motion is usually imparted to the ink cylinders through the instrumentality of gears and the like, but various means have been employed to reciprocate these cylinders. Heretofore, cams, links, rocker arms, bell cranks and other devices have been employed to reciprocate the ink cylinders in some designsy and in others, eccentrics and connecting rods have been utilized.

In existing inking mechanisms, separate rotatable members are employed to initiate the motion which finally results in imparting reciprocatory movement to the ink cylinders. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide novel instrumentalities for reciprocating the ink cylinders or other components of the inking mechanism by the rotary motion of the ink cylinders.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inking mechanism for rotary printing machines in which the rotary motion of the inking component which is to be reciprocated imparts rotary movement to an actuator which, in turn, imparts reciprocatory motion to the said inking component. 'y

A specific object of this invention is to pro-` vide an inking mechanism for rotary printing machines in which a rotary member or actuator is provided with helical ribs or grooves to cooperably engage rollers carried by rotary'inking components and provided with annular ribs or grooves whereby reciprocatory motion is irnparted to the inking components.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide an inking mechanism forrotary printing A' parted to the inking components, and these rotary inking components being operably connected to ink rollers to reciprocate them relative to other rotary components of the inking mechanism.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an inking mechanism for printing machines of generally improved construction, whereby the device will be simple, durable, and inexpensive in construction, as. well as convenient, practical, serviceable and eincient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it

being understood that various changes in form,

rection of the arrows;

' Figure 3 is a detailed fragmental vertical sec-V tion depicting the mechanism for reciprocating the ink cylinders;

Figure 4 is a fragmental horizontal sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Figure 2; Y

' Figure 5'is a fragmental vertical sectional view similar to Figure 3, but depicting a modified form' of the invention;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 2, but depicting a modied form of the invention, and

Figure 7 is a fragmental sectional 'View depicting the speedv change mechanism.

Referring to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, there is depicted a rotary printing machine Which includes frame components I0 having bearings II to slidably and rotatably support the shafts |2` and I3 of rst and second ink cylinders I4 and I6 of an inking mechanism. The inking mechanism includes transfer rollers Il (Figure 2,) which are rotatably supported in bearings provided in the machine frame components I0, and these rollers-operably engage the rst or. lower ink cylinder I4. Similar transfer usual practice, and inasmuch as the initial inl;` supply does not form a part of this invention, such ink supply mechanism-has not beenY illustrated. The ink is worked into a uniform film by the cooperative engagement of the ink cylinders I4 and I6 and the transfer rollers I1 and I8 and other components of the inking mechanism. The ink lm is conveyed from the up-g per or second ink cylinder I6 through the instrumentality of the form rollers 20, and this ink is then deposited in the usual manner on the forms carried by the plates 2Ia on form cylinder 2 I.

The rotary movement of the ink cylinders I4 and I6, transfer rollers I1 and I8, and the other ink rollers of the inking mechanism tends to Work the supplied ink into a uniform film before it is deposited onto the plates on the plate cylinder 2 I, but it has been found from practice that a better distribution of the supplied ink may be effected and a more uniform film supplied if components of the inking mechanism are reciprocated as Well as rotated. Therefore, this invention is directed to novel means for recipro` eating the ink cylinders and other selected components of the inkng mechanism.

In the form of the invention depicted in Figshafts I2 and I3. Each ring 21 is provided atv its outer portion with a tapered or frusto-'conical surface 29, and one face of the ring'is provided with a relatively narrow radially disposed annular surface 3l, and its opposed facevv is provided with a relatively broad radially disposed annular surface 32. A cylindrical peripheral surface 33 is interposed between the outer terminalsof the frusto-conical surface 29 and the radialsurface 32 of each ring 21. The rings 21 are positioned on the reduced portions of the ink cylinder shafts I2 and I3 in back-to-back relation with their surfaces 32 in abutting engagement; By'this arrangement, the opposed frusto-conical surfaces 29 and the cylindrical surfaces 33 of the rings 21 define composite tapered annular ribs 30 which operably engage similar tapered annular ribs 35 which extend inwardly from the inner .peripheral surface 36 of a cylindrical drive member or actuator 31. vThe drive member or ringv.31 is preferably provided, in the form of the invention depicted, with three tapered ribs 35, although it isto be understood that any preferred number of ribs may be utilized to meet required conditions. In the depicted arrangement, six rings or annular roller components 21 are utilized to provide each composite roller, and the surfaces 29 of the roller sections 21 form tapered recesess for the reception of the tapered ribs 35 of the actuator ring 31, so that, in effect, the ribs 3U of the rollers 22 and 23 engage recesses of similar configuration formed in the drive ring 31, and, conversely, the ribs 35 of the drive ring 31 are received in recesses of similar configuration formed in the rollers 22 and 23. In order to insure that the ribs 30 of the rollers 22 and 23 accurately engage the ribs 35 of the drive ring 31, annular washers or spacers 38 are positioned between each pair of rings 21, and these spacers are l0- Acated to engage the narrow radially disposed annular surfaces 3I of the roller components 21. The thickness of the spacer-s 38 is accurately determined to insure that the ribs 30 formed by each pair of rings 21 accurately engage the ribs 3.5 formed on the actuator ring 31. The rings 21 are clamped against rotation on the reduced portions- 24 and 26of the ink cylinder shafts I2 and I3 by shoulder screws 39, and each screw is held against rotation by a suitable lock screw 40.

The drive ring or actuator 31 is rotatably supported by a cylindrical hub 4I having a radially extending flange or spoked portion 42, and the outer or peripheral portion 43 of the flange 42 is suitably secured to the actuator ring 31 by bolts 45, or other suitable securing devices. The cylindrical hub 4I is rotatably supported by spaced anti-friction bearings 46, which, in turn, are supported by a stud 41. A ange or collar 48 is formed at the inner terminal of the stud 41, and this collar is secured to a frame component I0 by means of a threaded projection or screw 50 which is threaded into a threaded aperture 5I formed in the frame component III. The collar 48 is preferably held against rotation by means of a lock screw 52 which extends through an aperture 53 formed in the collar or flange 48 and is threaded into the frame component I0. The hub 4I is held against longitudinal or axial movement on the stud 41 by means of a thrust or securing screw 55 which is provided with a threaded stem 56 that threadedly engages a threaded aperture 51 formed in the stud 41. The securing screw 55 is preferably held against ro- Y tation by a lock screw 58 which extends through the head of the screw 55 and is threaded into the stud141, as indicated at 59.

The head of the screw 55 engages the inner race ring of the outer anti-friction bearing unit 46, and this yring in turn engages a spacing or retaining sleeve 60 which is axially interposed between the inner and outer anti-friction bearing units 46.

. By this arrangement, the actuator ring 31 is mounted for free rotary movement about the stud 41, and in order to impart reciprocatory movement to the spaced ink cylinders I4' and I6, the ribs 35 formed at the inner face 36 of the actuator ring 31 are arranged in parallelism,

`and each rib forms a helix which varies in pitch causes the rollers 22 and 23 and cylinders I4 and I6 to reciprocate, Aas will be more fully eX- plained hereinafter.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 4, a composite yoke 6l (Figures Zand 4) is pivotally secured to the shaft I2 at each end of the lower ink cylinder I4. Each composite yoke includes a yoke arm or beam 62 having an arcuate or semi-circular intermediate portion 63, and a complementary semi-circular bearing cap 65 which is secured to the yoke arm E2 by machine screws 66, or other suitable securing devices. An anti-friction bearing unit 61, is operably interposed between the shaft I2 ofthe lower ink cylinder I4 and the arcuate or semi# cylindrical portion 63 of the yoke arm 62 and the bearing' cap 55. The bearing receiving semicylindrical portion 63 of the yoke arm 62 and the complementary bearing receiving portion of the bearing cap 55 are slightly larger in diameter than the outer race ring of the anti-friction bearing unit 61 so that a slight floating action is permitted between the composite yoke 6I and its supporting shaft I2. B'y this arrangement, the

yoke 6I is mounted for free rotary action in i floating relation about the shaft I2 of the lower ink cylinder I4. Each composite yoke 5I is held against axial movement on the shaft I2 of the lower` ink cylinder I4 by means of a shoulder 68 formed on'the shaft I2, and a collar 15 which is secured to the shaft, the shoulders 58 and collar 10 engaging components of the anti-friction bearing units 61 to thus hold the bearing yokes against axial movement on the shaft I3. Each yoke arm 62 extends laterally to each side of the ink cylinder shaft I 2 and terminates in cap bear ings 1I, that house anti-friction bearings 12, which, in turn, rotatably support shafts 13 formed at the opposite terminals of rider ink rollers 15.

Inasmuch as the composite yokes 6I are held against axial movement relative to the lower ink cylinder, it is manifest that any reciprocatory motion `that is imparted to the ink cylinder I4 will also be imparted, through the instrumentality of the yokes, to the rider rollers 15, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The ink cylinders I4 and I6 may be rotatably l driven by any suitable driving mechanism, and a preferred arrangement includes a gearY 1S carried by and rotatable with the shaft -of plate cylinder 2i, and this gear meshes with an idler gear 11 rotatably mounted on a stud 18 which isV secured to a machine frame component Il?. The idler gear 11, in turn, meshes Ywith a gear Sil carried by and rotatable with the shaft I3 of the second ink cylinder I5. An idler gear 6I is rotatably supportedL on a stud 82 which is secured to a machine frame component I0, `and this gear meshes with the gear 8B of the second ink cylinder and a similar gear 83 which is carried by and rotatable with the shaft I2 of the first ink cyl-` inder I4. By this arrangement, the ink cylinders I4 and IS are rotatably drivenin the same direction, and inasmuchas the ink cylinders engage the transfer rollers I1 and IS, these transfer rollers are rotatably driven, and the rollers I'I,

protects these components against dust and other extraneous matter.

In operation, theink cylinders I4 and I6 are rotatably driven in the manner disclosed, and these cylinders, in turn, rotate the composite rollers 22 and 23, and inasmuch as the annular ribs 30 of the rollers 22 and 23 frictionally engage the helically disposed ribs 35 of the drive ring or actuator 31, the actuator 31, in turn, is rotatably driven bythe rotation of the rollers 22 and 23. The helical disposition of the ribs 35 of the ring 31 causes these ribs to move the ink cylinders I4 and I6 axially in opposed directions during each revolution of the ring 31. Thus it is seen that the rotary motionof the ink cylinders I4 and I6 imparts rotary movement to the drive ring or actuator 31, and this ring, in turn, imparts reciprocatory movement to the ink cylinders. The amplitude of reciprocatory movement of the ink cylinders I4 and I6 may be determined by the helical disposition of the ribs 35 of the drive ring or actuator 31. In the arrangementV depicted, the drive ring 31 moves each ink cylinder through a complete to and fro cycle of movement during each revolution of the ring 31, but it is to be understood, of course, that the helical ribs 35 may be so disposed relative to the ring 31 as to impart any preferrednumber of reciprocations to the ink cylinders I4 and I6 during each revolution of-the drive or actuator ring 31.

In conformity with the usual practice, the requisite quantity of ink is initially supplied to the rst ink cylinder I4 by an ink rail or. other suitable ink supply instrumentality, not shown, and inasmuch as this ink cylinder rotates, and also reciprocates relative to the transfer rollers l1 and I8, the ink is worked into a film on this cylinder. As the cylinder I4 reciprocates, it also, through the instrumentality of the yokes 62, reciprocates the rider rollers 15 relative to the axially stationary transfer rollers I1, thereby again working the ink to produce a uniform iilm. Since a slight oating motion is provided between the ink cylinder shaft I2 and the yoke 6I, the rider rollers 15 rest on the transfer rollers I1, but they are maintained in operable relation to the transfer rollers I1 by these yokes. From the first ink cylinder I4, the ink is transferred to the axially stationary transfer rollers I8 and then to the rotary and reciprocatory second ink cylinder I6. From the second ink cylinder I6, the ink is deposited onto the form roller or rollers 20 and then conveyed as a uniform lm to the plate or form on the conventional plate or form cylinder 2I.

In the form of the invention hereinbefore disclosed, rider rollers 15 operably engage the lower transfer rollers I1, but, if'- preferred, similar rider rollers maybe provided for operable cooperation with `the upper transfer rollers I8 by merely duplicating the riderroller reciprocating mechaf nism as depicted in Figure 6. In this arrangement, a yoke Sia is operably secured to the shaft I3 of the upper ink cylinder I-6 in the same manner that'the yoke BI is secured to the shaft I2 of the lower or first inkV cylinder I4. Rider rollers v 15a, similarto'the rider: rollers 15, are rotatably secured 'to theopposed terminals of the yoke 6Ia, so that the rider rollers 15a reciprocate relative to the axially'stationary transfer rollers I8 in the engagdltransfer/f' rollers. Alternatively, these rider rollers a may be arranged to engage the lower side of the form rollers 2U if desired. Since in such an arrangement, oating motion is opposed by gravity, springs or any other convenientmeans may be employed to maintain the required upward pressure on the yoke 6 Ia. i

In the mechanism hereinbefore disclosed, the drive or actuator ring 31 is rotatably driven through frictional engagement with the rotatably driven rollers 22 and 23, but if preferred, the drive or actuator ring 31 may be positively driven as depicted in Figure 5 of the drawings.

In the arrangement depicted in Figure 5, a countershaft86 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 81 supported by a machine frame component I0. A relatively long spur gear 38 is secured to one terminal of the shaft 86, and this gear meshes with a relatively narrow gear 9U, which is secured to the shaft I3 of the upper or second ink cylinder I6. The terminal of the shaft 86 which is remote from the gear 88 has a spur gear 9I secured thereto, and this gear meshes with a relatively large gear 92 formed on or secured to the exterior of the drive or actuator ring 31a.

Thus, it is seen that as the ink cylinder I6 rotates, the gear train 90, 88, 9| and 92 rotatably drive the actuator ring 31a. This ring is provided with the helically disposed ribs 35, hereinbefore disclosed, which cooperate with the ribs of the rollers 22 and 23, to thereby impart reciprocatory movement to the ink cylinders I4 and I6 in lthe manner hereinbefore disclosed.

When the ratio of the gearing between the shaft I3 and the actuator ring 31a is such that the pitch line of the engaging surface of the roller 23 and the pitch line of the tapered ribs 3.5 on the actuator ring 31a move at the same speed, the rollers 22, 23 are preferably secured to the shafts I2, I3 as shown in Figure 3, but it will be understood that by the use of gearing which rotates the actuator ring 31a, at such speed that the pitch line of the tapered ribs 35 moves at a different speed from that of the pitch line of the rollers 22, 23, the rate of reciprocation of the cylinders I4, IB will be different, but in such case, it is preferable to permit the rollers 22, 23 to rotate on the shafts I2, I3 and thereby avoid slippage between them and the tapered ribs 35. This is accomplished by removing the locking screws and backing off the shoulder screws 39 su'iciently to permit the free rotation of the composite rollers 22 and 23 on the reduced portions 24 and 26 of the ink cylinder shafts I2 and I3. The locking screws 40 may then be reinserted in the shafts to secure the shoulder screws 39 in their newly adjusted position.

If a gear 88 having a lesser number of teeth, and a mating gear 90 having a greater number of teeth than those shown in Figure 5 are used, the actuator ring 31al will be driven at a higher speed, and the ink cylinders I4, I6 will make fewer rotations during each reciprocating cycle, and conversely, if a gear 88 having a greater number of teeth, and a mating gear 90 having a lesser number of teeth than those shown are used, the actuator ring 31a will be driven at a slower speed, and the ink cylinders I4, I6 will make a greater number of rotations during each reciprocating cycle. The gears 88 and 90 may be arranged as change gears and by using a suitablepair, the rate of reciprocation of the ink cylinders may be changed if desired. Such an arrangement is disclosed in Figure 7, in which gears 38a and 88h are keyed to and slidably mounted on a shaft 86a, and the gear 88d is shown in mesh with the gear 90. The shaft 86a drives the actuator ring 31a. through the interposed gear 9I, in a manner hereinbefore disclosed. When it is desired to change the rotational speed of the ring 31a, the gear 88a is slid along the shaft 86a from engagement with the gear 90, and the gear 88h is moved into meshing engagement with the gear 90a. The gear 88h has a smaller number of teeth than the gear 88a, and the gear 99a has a greater number of teeth than the gear 90, to thereby increase the speed of rotation of the actuator ring 31a. The gears 88a and 88h may be slid along the shaft 86a by a conventional manipulating lever 95. This speed change arrangement is of conventional structure which is well understood by those skilled in the art.

Obviously, the actuator ring 31a may be rotated by other means than from the shaft I3, such as by gearing or other suitable connection to any convenient rotating member of the machine, and if frequent adjustment of the rate of reciprocation of the cylinders I4, I6 with respect to their rotation is desired, this may easily be arranged by interposing a suitable form of variable speed device in the gear train between the driving member and the actuator ring 31a.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and it will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination present in or possessed by the mechanism herein disclosed forms a part of the invention included in this application.

What I claim is:

1. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine, a rotatable ink cylinder, an annularly ribbed roller connected to the cylinder to rotate therewith, and a rotatable ring having reversing helically disposed internal ribs arranged to engage the ribbed roller and be rotated thereby to reciprocate the ink cylinder.

2. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine, a freely rotatable ring held against axial movement and having reversing helical internal ribs, a rotatable ink cylinder, an annularly ribbed roller connected to theV cylinder to rotate therewith, and means to support the ribbed roller in engagement with the ribs of the rotatable ring, whereby rotation of the ink cylinder will rotate the ring and the cylinder will be reciprocated.

3. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine, a rotatable' ink cylinder, an annularly ribbed roller connected to the cylinder to rotate therewith, a rotatable ring having reversing helically disposed internal ribs arranged to engage the ribbed roller, and gearing to rotate the ring Y and thereby reciprocate the ink cylinder.

4. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine, a rotatable ring having reversing helical internal ribs, means to rotate the ring, and a pair of rotatable ink cylinders each having an annularly ribbed roller rotating therewith and engaging the ribs of the rotatable ring, the said ink cylinders being oppositely disposed with respect to the axis of the ring, whereby the cylinders will be reciprocated in opposite directions when the ring is rotated.

5. In in inking mechanism for a printing machine having rotary ink cylinders, means vfor rotatably driving lthe rotary ink cylinders, a rotary member rotatably driven by the rotary ink cylinders, Va roller secured to and; rotatable with each inkV cylinder, annular ribs carried by each roller, and reversing helically disposed ribs car-` ried by the rotary member and cperably engaging the ribs of the rollers to impart reciprocatory movement to the ink cylinders.

6. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having' a rotary ink cylinder, means for rotatably driving the rotary ink cylinder, a rotary member rotatably driven by the rotary ink cylinder, and means carried by the rotary member for operably engaging the rotary ink cylinder to impart reciprocatory movement thereto, inking rollers operably engaging the ink cylinder, rider rollers operably engaging the inking rollers, and means for operably connecting the rider rollers with the ink cylinder whereby reciprocatory motion is imparted to the rider rollers yby the reciprocatory movement of the ink cylinder.

7. In an inking mechanism for a printingmachine having rst and second rotary `ink cylinders,.means for rotatably driving the rotary ink cylinders, a rotary member rotatably driven Aby the ink cylinders, means carried by the rotary member for operably engaging the rotary ink cylinders to impart reciprocatory movement thereto, iirst ink rollers operably engaging the first ink cylinder, second ink rollers operably engaging the first and second ink cylinders, rst

rider rollers operably engaging the first ink roll-` ers, second rider rollers operably engaging the second ink rollers, means for operably connecting the first rider rollers with the st ink cylinder, and means for operably connecting the second rider rollers with the second ink cylinder whereby reciprocatory movement is imparted to the rider rollers by the reciprocatory movement of the ink cylinders.

8. In an inking mechanismior a printing machine having rst and second rotary ink cylinders disposed in substantially verticalY alignment, means for rotatably driving the rotary ink-cylinders, a rotary member rotatably driven by the ink cylinders, means carried by the rotary member for operably engaging the rotary ink cylinders to impart reciprocatory movement thereto, rst ink rollers operably engaging the first ink cylinder and disposed in substantially horizontal alignment, second ink rollers operably engaging the first and second ink cylinders and disposed in substantially horizontal alignment, first rider v rollers operably engaging the rst ink rollers and disposed in substantially horizontal alignment, second rider rollers operably engaging the second in k rollers and disposed in substantially horizont-al alignment, means for operably connecting the rst rider rollers with the first ink cylinder, and means for operably connecting the second rider rollers with the second ink cylinder whereby reciprocatory movement is imparted to the rider rollers by the reciprocatory movement of the ink cylinders.

9. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having a rotary ink cylinder, means for rotatably driving the rotary ink cylinder, a rotary A member rotatably driven by the rotary ink cylinder, means carried by the rotary member for operably engaging the rotary ink cylinder to impart reciprocatory movement thereto, axially stationary rotatable ink rollers operably engaging the ink cylinder and rotatable thereby, rider rollers operably engaging the axially stationary ink rollers, a yoke rotatably supported by the ink cylinder but secured against axial movement relative thereto, and means for rotatably securing the rider rollers tothe yoke, theriderrollers beingsecured against axialrniovement relative to ,the yoke whereby reciprocatory movement-of the ink rollers operably engaging the ink Vcylinder and rotatable thereby, rider rollers operably engaging the axially stationary ink rollers and mounted for Ireeiprocation relative to the ink rollers, a yoke `rotatably supported on the shaft of the ink cylinder but -secured against axial movement relative'thereto, and means for rotatably securing the rider rollers to the opposed terminals of the yoke, therrider rollers being secured against axialmovement relative to the yoke whereby reciprocatory ,movement of the ink cylinder imparts reciprocatory movement to the rider rollers.

`11. Inan inking mechanism for a printing machneghaving `a rotaryv ink' cylinder, a shaft extending axially from the rotary ink cylinder, means for rotatably driving the rotary ink cylinder, a rotary member, a roller secured to the ink cylinder shaft and rotatable with the ink cylinder, annular ribs carried by the roller, and reversing helically disposed ribs carried by the rotary member and frictionally engaged by the annular ribs of the roller whereby rotation of the roller imparts rotary movement to the rotary member and the said helically disposed ribs of the rotary member impart reciprocatory movemachine having a rotary ink cylinder, a shaft 'extending axially from the rotary ink cylinder,

means for rotatably driving the rotary ink cylinder, a rotary member, a roller secured to the ink cylinder shaft and rotatable with the ink cylinder, annular tapered ribs carried by the roller, and reversing helically disposed tapered ribs carried by the rotary member, the tapered portion of the said helically disposed ribs of the rotary member frictionallyj engaging the tapered portion of the annular ribs of the roller whereby rotation of the roller imparts rotary movement to the rotary member andthe said helically disposed ribs of the rotary member impart reciprocatory movement to the ink cylinder.

13. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having a plurality of rotary ink cylinders, a shaft extending axially from each ink cylinder, means for rotatably driving the rotary Y ink cylinders, a roller secured to each ink cylinder shaft and rotatable with the cylinder, annular ribs extending radially from the peripheral portion of each roller, a cylindrical member surrounding the rollers and mounted for rotation, and reversing helically disposed ribs extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical member and o-perably engaging the annular ribs of the rollers whereby the rotation of the rollers imparts rotary movement to the cylindrical member and the said helically disposed ribs of the cylindrical member impart reciprocatory movement to the ink cylinders.

14. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having a plurality of rotary ink cylinders, a shaft extending axially from each ink.

operably engaging the annular ribs of the rollers whereby the rotation of the rollers imparts rotary movement to the cylindrical member and the said helically disposed ribs of the cylindrical member impart reciprocatory movement to the ink cylinders.

l5. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having a rotary ink cylinder, means for rotatably driving the rotary ink cylinder, a rotary member, a roller secured to and rotatable with the ink cylinder, annular ribs carried by the roller, reversing helically disposed ribs carried by the rotary member and operably engaging the ribs of the roller, a gear carried by the rotary member, gears driven from the cylinder and operably engaging the gear of the rotary member to impart rotation thereto by the rotary movement of the cylinder, the said helically discnfposed ribs of the rotary member operably engage ing the ribs of the roller to impart reciprocatory movement to the roller and cylinder when 'the rotary member is rotated by the rotation of the cylinder.

16. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine, a rotatable ink cylinder having a shaft, an annularly ribbed roller rotatable on the ink cylinder shaft but held against axial movement thereon, a rotatable ring having reversing internally disposed helical ribs arranged to engage the ribbed roller, and gearing to rotate the ring and thereby reciprocate the ink cylinder.

17. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine, a rotatable ink cylinder having a shaft,

an annularly ribbed roller rotatable on the ink cylinder shaft but held against axial movement thereon, a rotatable ring having reversing internally disposed helical ribs arranged to engage the ribbed roller, means to rotate the ring and thereby reciprocate the ink cylinder, and means to change the speed of rotation of the ring and thereby change the speed of the reciprocation of the ink cylinder with respect to the speed of the machine.

WILLIAM F. HUCK. 

